If you have been following along, you know that I have been writing daily reflections throughout Holy Week. Easter Sunday begins a new season of the Christian Year and is not part of Holy Week, but I just couldn't stop my reflections on Saturday with Jesus lying in the tomb.
HE IS RISEN!
Today is the greatest day in the history of the church – the Resurrection day! For centuries this day has also been called "The Great Day." The event of Jesus’ resurrection was so important for followers of Christ, that the day of meeting was changed from Saturday to Sunday to commemorate his resurrection.
The Apostle Paul knew of the importance of the resurrection. He constantly preached Christ and his resurrection:
"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised...But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Cor 15:12-13; 20-22)
HE IS RISEN INDEED!
In addition to calling Easter Sunday, "The Great Sunday," the Church has called every other Sunday of the year "little resurrection days." This is a good reminder to not stop the celebration of our Risen Lord with today. Every time we gather together to worship, let us celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ has risen, conquering death and the grave, and has offered us new life in him!
ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!